Ribbon curling device

ABSTRACT

A ribbon curling device to facilitate the curling of a length of decorative ribbon such as gift wrapping ribbon includes a housing for storing the ribbon, a curling edge associated with an exit aperture in a wall of the housing, and a guide spaced from the curling edge to guide the ribbon to the curling edge and determine the approach angle of the ribbon to the curling edge to facilitate the curling of the ribbon as it is drawn along the curling edge. The guide is further provided with an integral drag surface for imparting a frictional drag on a portion of the ribbon as it is drawn along the guide. The ribbon curling device includes several alternative mechanisms for varying the approach angle of the ribbon to the curling edge to thereby vary the amount of curl to the ribbon, including a variable length guide edge, a ribbon guide movable with respect to the curling edge, and a rotatable guide cam having a number of guide faces.

The present invention relates to a ribbon curling device, particularlyfor curling the ends of gift wrapping ribbon.

Gift wrapping ribbon is typically made of polypropylene and has theproperty that it curls up if tension or shear forces are applied to oneside of the ribbon only. This characteristic can be used to producepleasing decorative effects, such as ringlets, on the ends of ribbonused to tie up a gift package.

One method of forming ringlets is to pull the ribbon over a blade;usually the thumb holds the ribbon against the blade and there is aconsequent danger of the user cutting his hand.

My published U.K. Patent Application 2221871 discloses a ribbon curlingtool which comprises relatively movable arms respectively having a bladeand pad between which the ribbon can be squeezed prior to being pulledtherethrough. This device avoids the danger of the user cutting histhumb but requires two handed operation.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved ribboncurling device which may also incorporate a ribbon dispenser.

According to the invention there is provided a ribbon curling devicehaving a curling edge and ribbon guide means spaced from the curlingedge, in use the guide means controlling the approach angle of ribbon tosaid edge.

The guide means and curling edge may be fixed relative to one another.Alternatively one of the guide means and curling edge may be movablerelative to the other to vary the ribbon approach angle.

The device may be incorporated in a dispenser for use with a source ofribbon.

The device may further include means for controlling the exit angle ofribbon from said edge. In a preferred embodiment a dispenser includesupstanding walls adjacent the ribbon exit aperture of said dispenser.Preferably the curling edge is in the wall of such a dispenserimmediately adjacent the ribbon exist aperture; the curling edge maycomprise a blade forming one edge of said aperture.

The device may further include drag means for providing resistance toribbon passage across said curling edge. In one embodiment said dragmeans comprises a curved surface, the drag force being insufficient toimpart a curling effect to the ribbon.

A preferred embodiment includes movable guide means in the form of a camspaced from the curling edge and having a plurality of guide faces eachcapable of imparting a different approach angle to the ribbon. Rotationof the cam results in a different ribbon approach angle.

In one position the movable guide means may allow ribbon to be pulledpast the blade without contact therewith, thus permitting uncurledribbon to be drawn from the supply.

When incorporated in a dispenser the device may be bench mounted or handheld.

Other features of the invention will be apparent from the followingdescription of a preferred embodiment shown by way of example only inthe accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a transverse section through a ribbon dispenser incorporatingthe invention;

FIG. 1a is an enlargement of part of FIG. 1 showing an alternativefeature;

FIG. 2 is a transverse section on line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial transverse section corresponding to FIG. 1 andshowing an alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial end view of the dispenser of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a partial transverse section through another alternativeribbon dispenser incorporating the invention;

FIGS. 5a-5g illustrate various ribbon guide arrangements suitable foruse with the dispenser of FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 is a partial transverse section through a dispenser/incorporatingyet another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a partial plan view of the dispenser of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a partial transverse section through a dispenser incorporatingyet another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of a cam plate incorporated in thedispenser of FIG. 8;

FIGS. 10-12 show an alternative cam plate for the dispenser of FIG. 8;

FIG. 13 is partial transverse section similar to FIG. 8 and showing yetanother cam plate; and

FIG. 14 is a section on line 14-14 of FIG. 13.

All dimensions and angles shown in the accompanying drawings are forillustration only; some dimensions and angles have been exaggerated toclearly demonstrate a constructional feature and for clarity.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a ribbon dispenser and curler comprisesa plastics box 11 having a reel 12 of polypropylene ribbon mountedtherein for rotation. In the illustration the reel 12 lays on a curvedcarriage 13 integrally moulded in the base of the box; the reel couldalternatively be mounted on a spindle.

The free end of the ribbon (illustrated by the chain-dot line) passesover a guide 14 and through an outlet aperture 15; the guiding edge ofthe aperture comprises a curling blade

One end 14a of the guide is formed as a smooth curve, the shape of thecurve being chosen to support the ribbon without unduly stressing theadjacent surface thereof. The end 14a also imposes a drag force on theribbon which facilitates use of the dispenser and prevents the ribbonpassing too freely over the curling blade 16. The drag force isdetermined by the shape and length of the contact surface and may bechosen to suite the width, thickness and material of the ribbon. Onewall 11a of the dispenser may be removable to facilitate replacement ofthe ribbon reel.

In use the ribbon is drawn out of the dispenser in the direction ofarrow 17. The guide 14 ensures a constant angle of approach α of theribbon with respect of the curling blade edge. The angle of departure ofthe ribbon from the dispenser determines the degree of curl imparted bythe curling blade; a large included angle (as illustrated) results in aloose curl, whereas an acute angle results in a tight curl. The operatormay pull the ribbon at a particularly angle within the range permittedby the aperture 15 to obtain a desired curling effect.

The edge of the aperture opposite the curling blade may be relieved sothat ribbon may be drawn from the dispenser without contacting theblade; such an arrangement is further described below.

FIG. 1a illustrates a modified curling blade in which a notch 18 isincorporated as shown to impart some flexibility to the blade in thedirection shown by arrow 19. Such an arrangement may give an enhancedcurling effect. The curling blade could alternatively be of thinnersection to import the desired flexibility. A flexible curling blade alsopermits the approach angle α to be changed, by pressing down, and hasthe further advantage that the user may increase the ribbon drag forceby pressing the blade against the guide 14.

FIG. 3 illustrates an arrangement in which the guide 24 is flexible andhas a protrusion 27 passing through a shaped aperture 28 in the side ofthe dispenser 21. The aperture 28 is illustrated in FIG. 4 and comprisesthree slots into one of which the protrusion 27 is spring loaded by theresilience of the guide. The position of the protrusion, and hence ofthe guide, determines the approach angle of the ribbon to the curlingblade 26, and thus the curling effect of the blade for a given departureangle of the ribbon. In other respects the dispenser may be of the kinddescribed with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate dispensers which may be sized to suit hand-held useor bench mounted use. The embodiment of FIG. 5 illustrates anarrangement small enough for hand-held use and comprises an `egg` ofribbon contained in a shaped holder 33 formed integrally with thedispenser 31. A guide 34 is constituted by a return edge of thedispenser, and the blade 36 comprises the upper edge of one dispenserend wall. Ribbon curl is determined by the approach angle of the ribbonto the blade and, to a certain extent, by the exit angle.

FIGS. 5a-5j show various modified ribbon guide arrangements suitable foruse with the embodiment of FIG. 5; many of these arrangements areadaptable to other embodiments shown herein.

FIG. 5a is an elevation of an alternative guide 34a; the lower edge ofthe guide is at an angle to the blade 36 and, as illustrated in FIGS. 5band 5c, the approach angle of the ribbon may be changed depending on thelateral exit position of the ribbon.

FIG. 5d is a plan view of the top of the dispenser showing an angledguide 34b of constant depth. Again the ribbon approach angle depends onthe lateral exit position of the ribbon, as illustrated in FIGS. 5e and5f.

FIG. 5g is an elevation of a stepped guide 34c having a drag face 34d onthe lower edge thereof; four distinct ribbon exit positions areprovided, each with a different approach angle.

Clearly the features disclosed in FIGS. 5a-5j; may be combined in anyway to achieve a desired effect, perhaps with a variable drag forcedepending on the approach angle.

As an alternative, or in addition, the relative angle and shape of thecurling blade 36 could be changed with respect to the guide 34.

The embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7 includes a movable guide which comprisesa thumb operated slide 47 guided and retained in a slot 48 formed in onewall of the dispenser 41. The slide 47 has a depending guide 44 asillustrated, movement of the slide back and forth altering the approachangle of the ribbon with respect to the curling blade 46. In theillustrated arrangement the dispenser is also provided with a ribbonexit guide constituted by upstanding walls 49; the tolerance of exitangle is determined by the distance between walls 49 and their height.The degree of ribbon curl depends on the position of the slide 47 andhence the position of the guide 44. In an actual embodiment the slidemay move only about 1 mm between each of the positions I, II and III toeffect a different curling effect.

The slide may be a friction fit in the slot 48 or may be retained in anydesired position by means of, for example, an integral detent of theslide and a series of protrusions at the edge of the slot.

The embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9 includes a fixed guide 64 and the usualcurling blade 66 formed in one wall of the dispenser 61.

A shaft 67 journalled in the blade wall of the dispenser has a handwheel 68 at the outer end and a cam 69 at the inner end and spaced fromthe inner wall of the dispenser by a shoulder 71.

Rotation of the wheel 68 causes rotation of the cam 69 and therebychanges the effective cam radius as illustrated by FIG. 9. A change incam radius causes the approach angle of the ribbon to change, thusgiving different curling effects. The cam may include radiallyupstanding protrusions to guide the ribbon to the exit. At one positionthe radius of the cam is sufficiently small to permit unobstructedpassage of the ribbon through the dispenser opening 65; this featureallows uncurled ribbon to be drawn from the dispenser.

An alternative cam wheel 69a is shown in FIGS. 10-12. The wheel 69a iscircular but has an edge of variable thickness as illustrated in theaxial sections of FIGS. 11 and 12. The variable thickness edges 72a-72dserve both to change the ribbon approach angle, and to impose differentdrag forces on the ribbon.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show yet another variation in which a wheel 69bjournalled in the dispenser wall has peripheral projections 73a-73dupstanding therefrom. The projections alter the ribbon approach angleand may be shaped to impose a suitable drag force. More or lessprojections may be provided.

Clearly any or all of the optional features described above may beincorporated in a ribbon dispenser. These features include the dragsurface 14a; the flexible curling blade of FIG. 1a; the adjustable guide27; the slidable guide 47; the exit aperture guide 49; and the rotaryguide arrangement of FIGS. 8 and 9.

The ribbon supply source could be from any conveniently mounted reel orball and need not be in the dispenser where the curling arrangement isbench mounted. The ribbon drag could be provided by a friction deviceacting anywhere on the ribbon or on the ribbon reel or ball, providedalways that the drag on one surface of the ribbon is insufficient tocause curling otherwise than at the curling blade; drag means may beprovided which act equally on both surfaces of the ribbon.

The dispenser could include an integral cutter to enable ribbon to becut at a convenient length, and may further include splitting hooks forsplitting a ribbon length into strands.

The curling blade may be constituted by the material of the dispenser ormay alternatively be an attachment, for example a metal blade pushedonto or into a portion of the ribbon exit aperture.

The precise arrangement and dimensions of the device may be chosen tosuit particular requirements of use; of the embodiments shown in theaccompanying drawings are for illustration only.

I claim:
 1. A ribbon curling device to facilitate the curling of alength of decorative ribbon comprising:a housing having an interior forstoring said having an interior for storing said ribbon; an aperture insaid housing providing an opening for withdrawing said ribbon; a curlingedge provided on an edge of said housing adjacent said aperture; and aguide wall for guiding said ribbon to said curling edge, said guide wallbeing coextensive and substantially parallel with said curling edge andat least a portion of said housing adjacent said curling edge therebyforming a guide channel to maintain a curl-imparting approach angle ofsaid ribbon within said channel to facilitate the curling of said ribbonas said ribbon is drawn through said channel and over said curling edge.2. A ribbon curling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said curlingedge is provided immediately adjacent to said exit aperture.
 3. A ribboncurling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said guide wall comprisesa guide edge having a length whose distance from said curling edgevaries along the length of said guide edge to provide varyingcurl-imparting approach angles of said ribbon to vary the amount of curlto said ribbon.
 4. A ribbon curling device as claimed in claim 3,wherein said guide edge is formed with steps along said length toprovide a plurality of predetermined guide positions at each of saidsteps, said steps corresponding to different curl-imparting approachangles of said ribbon to vary the amount of curl to said ribbon whensaid ribbon is drawn from each said guide position.
 5. A ribbon curlingdevice as claimed in claim 1, wherein said guide wall and said curlingedge are movable relative to one another to thereby vary saidcurl-imparting approach angle of said ribbon to impart a differentamount of curl to said ribbon based on the approach angle of saidribbon.
 6. A ribbon curling device as claimed in claim 5, wherein saidcurling edge is fixed relative to said housing and said guide wall ismovable relative to said housing.
 7. A ribbon curling device as claimedin claim 5, wherein said guide wall is slidably displaceable along saidhousing to thereby vary the approach angle of said ribbon.
 8. A ribboncurling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said guide wall comprisesa guide cam rotatable within said housing, said guide cam comprising aplurality of guide faces each for imparting a different approach angleof said ribbon to vary the amount of curl to said ribbon.
 9. A ribboncurling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said guide wall comprisesan arcuate guide member, including drag wall for imparting a frictionaldrag to said ribbon as said ribbon is drawn along said guide means. 10.A ribbon curling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a portion of saidhousing adjacent said curling edge comprises flexure means for impartinga predetermined degree of flexibility to said housing adjacent saidcurling edge.
 11. A ribbon curling device as claimed in claim 10,wherein said flexure means comprises a notch in said housing.